Sutton Coldfield Astro Club

[kingjoshtheposh]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to set up a astronomy Club based in Sutton Park, which is open to anyone whos willing! already have a Facebook group (link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/367579990006741/) so give me a shout if your interested!

Clear skys to you all!

josh

[steve_bham]

Hi where abouts in Sutton park are you thinking of using as it can be busy at times.

[kingjoshtheposh]

well, Saturdays, not sure where as of yet but i know a few good places with low LP

[PorkyB]

There are lots of good spots in Sutton Park, i have been a few times. The problem is that once the gates are locked it can be a long walk with heavy gear to get to a good spot from somewhere you can park your car. I have taken my little Mak in, but there is no way I could take my 200p. Just taking binoculars and on my bike (with a good off-road lighting set) is a lot of fun though.

[steve_bham]

There are lots of good spots in Sutton Park, i have been a few times. The problem is that once the gates are locked it can be a long walk with heavy gear to get to a good spot from somewhere you can park your car. I have taken my little Mak in, but there is no way I could take my 200p. Just taking binoculars and on my bike (with a good off-road lighting set) is a lot of fun though.

Yeh, that's what I thought. No good for me as I'd wouldn't want to lug gear to far from car.

[kingjoshtheposh]

Humm... Well gates close at 1030 ish after that where in for the night.... All nighter?

[PorkyB]

Humm... Well gates close at 1030 ish after that where in for the night.... All nighter?

This time of year the gates are locked at 6pm and are unlocked by 9am, so you would be in there for 15 hours.

[steve_bham]

Humm... Well gates close at 1030 ish after that where in for the night.... All nighter?

That would be ok if we could guarantee the weather! But with the uk after an hour after gates locked it would probably cloud over!

[kingjoshtheposh]

huumm..... right, i have been looking at the light pollution survey and the lowest LP round Sutton is near Canwell hall... any takers? there's good road access, and there's a waffle place that nearby, hows that sound?

[steve_bham]

huumm..... right, i have been looking at the light pollution survey and the lowest LP round Sutton is near Canwell hall... any takers? there's good road access, and there's a waffle place that nearby, hows that sound?

Not been there. What's it like?

[kingjoshtheposh]

its essensualy just open fields, perfect for observing

[steve_bham]

Sounds good, does it get much traffic go by?

[kingjoshtheposh]

Not really it a very small village

[steve_bham]

Sounds ideal. Where would we set up?

[kingjoshtheposh]

there are a number of farms in the area, i will get in contact with some of the farmers and see if its possible to use there fields

[steve_bham]

there are a number of farms in the area, i will get in contact with some of the farmers and see if its possible to use there fields

Sounds great let me know how you get on.

[fletch]

Canwell Hall is that Bassets Pole?

[PorkyB]

Having a ride around Sutton Park at the weekend I noticed that although most of the gates are locked at dusk, some are left open for access to the various restaurants in the park. For example, the Town gate entrance is open until at least 11pm. A look on Google maps shows one or two potential sites, quite close to the roads around this area. One is the other side of a stream from the access road, screened off by trees. Obviously not much use in the summer, when it doesn't get dark until 11pm, but certainly could be useful in the winter.

I will have to get back there on my bike, have a proper look round and find out the restauant opening hours.

[kingjoshtheposh]

yes it is and i was wondering if you guys wanna meet this week

any takers?